lan Shepard was the brashest, cockiest, and most flamboyant of Americas original Mercury Seven, but he was also regarded as the best. Intense, colorful, and dramaticthe man who hit a golf ball on the moonhe was among the most private of Americas public figures and, until his death in 1998, he guarded the story of his life zealously. Light This Candle, based on Neal Thompsons exclusive access to private papers and interviews with Shepards family and closest friendsincluding John Glenn, Wally Schirra, and Gordon Cooperoffers a riveting, action-packed account of Shepards life. Among the first men to fly off aircraft carriers, he was one of the most fearless test pilots. He endured long separations from his devoted wife and three daughters to fly dangerous missions, working his way up the ranks despite clashes with authority over his brazen flying maneuvers and penchant for risky pranks. Hugely competitive, he beat out John Glenn for the first Mercury spaceflight and then overcame a rare illness to return to space again on Apollo 14. He took every challenge head-on and seemed to win every time. Long overdue, Light This Candle is a candid and inspiring account of a bold American life.